Homecoming hero: Nkosi Ndebele shines at historic PFL Africa debut in Cape Town
Image: Armand Hough Independent Newspapers
It was a dream return home for South Africa's world champion Nkosi Ndebele.
On Saturday night, at the Grand Arena in Goodwood, Cape Town, the former BRAVE CF Bantamweight champion competed in Mzansi for the first time in seven years — and delivered the ultimate homecoming performance.
Ndebele featured on the historic PFL Africa card at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World, where passionate South African MMA fans were treated to a world-class night of action.
Fighting in the inaugural PFL Africa tournament, Ndebele (9-3) wasted no time advancing to the semi-finals of the bantamweight knockout competition. He stopped Egyptian opponent Mahmoud Atef (5-3) via TKO (strikes) with just 10 seconds remaining in the opening round.
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'I'm feeling great — what an experience to fight in front of my home crowd, my people, friends and family after all these years,' said Ndebele, who last fought on South African soil at BRAVE CF 19 in 2018 before forging an international career with the Bahrain-based promotion.
'I know a lot of people didn't know who Nkosi is. I'm just glad they got to see a glimpse of it today. This is only the beginning. That crowd reaction was something else. These are the moments I dream of.
'When I was backstage, I told my corner, 'Let me enjoy this moment'. I visualise things like this — a huge crowd, and me being happy, and going crazy.
"To experience that and connect with the fans... I just wanted to connect with them more. This is the first time I've ever experienced such a crowd, a packed arena, a sold-out venue.'
Nkosi Ndebele says he has never experienced a crowd as passionate as the Cape Town crowd and loved every minute of his time at PFL Africa 1. Photo: Armand Hough Independent Newspapers
Image: Armand Hough Independent Newspapers
Ndebele looked composed from the first bell, controlling every aspect of the fight inside the PFL SmartCage. Atef lacked the firepower to trouble the South African and became increasingly hesitant as the strikes piled up.
Even when the Egyptian attempted to grapple, Ndebele stayed composed, expertly managing the exchanges with calculated movement, breath control, and positional dominance.
Eventually, Ndebele dragged Atef to the canvas and unleashed a flurry of strikes to the body and head. The referee was left with no choice but to wave it off with 10 seconds left in the first round, triggering wild celebrations as chants of 'Nkosi' rang out across the arena.
'This is only the beginning. More spectacular victories are coming!' said a jubilant Ndebele. 'I am meant for greatness, and this journey with PFL Africa is the path to that greatness.'
The PFL's African tournament will span four events across the continent in 2024. The new PFL Africa franchise forms part of the organisation's global expansion and features 32 fighters from 15 African nations, all competing across four divisions for the inaugural PFL Africa title and a shot at greater opportunities within the PFL system.
Saturday's show also included the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai card, featuring some of the world's top MMA talent. Global stars AJ McKee, Corey Anderson, Dakota Ditcheva, Johnny Eblen, Takeshi Izumi, Akhmed Magomedov, and Costello van Steenis all featured under the Grand Arena's bright lights.
Following the night's results, the semi-final matchups in the bantamweight division will see Ndebele face Zimbabwe's unbeaten Simbarashe Hokonya (6-0), while Boule Godogo (4-0) takes on Karim Henniene (5-0).
Saturday's event also hosted the opening round of the heavyweight bracket. PFL Africa continues on 9 August at Carnival City, Johannesburg, where the featherweight and welterweight divisions will begin their journey to PFL gold.
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